Triveni Goswami Vernal
Registered Special Educator (A64010)
Holidays are a special time and more so seasonal holidays that provide a respite from the drudgery of daily life. Whether a child is on the Autism Spectrum or not, everyone needs a break from time to time. And holidays are a good way of providing an exposure to the child to different experiences, unwinding from and pausing daily therapeutic interventions and discovering new activities and hobbies.
Now, that Summer is upon us and many of us are thinking of travelling with our children, for a vacation, what are some of the things we can keep in mind during our travel and stay?
1) CREATING A SENSORY TRAVEL KIT: We often pack smaller kits for our medicines, food, even toiletries when we travel. So, when we travel with individuals on the Spectrum, we must ensure that we carry a small sensory kit that contains their favourite sensory toys or alternatives, fidget toys, headphones, bubble wands, play dough, books (if they read/even like looking through pictures) etc, anything that may keep them engaged and regulated.
2) CREATE A SMALL SNACK KIT: Along with their sensory toys, one should also carry their favourite snacks and juices/water, in smaller quantities, for the journey and stay.
3) CARRY BOARD GAMES WITH COMMUNICATION BOARDS/APPS like Avaz to help them understand the Rules of the Game. Snake and Ladders, Animal & Thing (or even Name, Place, Animal, Thing), Tic Tac Toe or any other game that is played at home, and can be replicated in a smaller, compact version, can be taken along.
4) CARRY STATIONERY like Pencil, Paper, Plain Notebook and Crayons to make up impromptu games based on the surroundings, such as, writing down the names of the places passed by, while travelling. Or, noting down, the birds or animals seen during the journey. Even if the child is not an active participant, he/she will surely observe what is going on and absorb the information.
5) CHOOSE A DESTINATION THAT IS CLOSER TO NATURE AND IS RELATIVELY STRESS FREE: It may not always be possible to travel to very off beat destinations, that don’t attract crowds, but one can choose to go to a Beach side resort, or a hill station or even a jungle safari, where the demands on the child, are less relatively, while navigating crowds, sensory overloads etc. Free play in nature, is often a therapy in itself.
6) CREATE SOCIAL STORIES AND VISUALS: One must mentally prepare the child for the trip, and the things they may experience or see there. One cannot have 100% accuracy in predicting how the day will unravel while travelling or while staying at the destination, but the parent/caregiver can create such resources before-hand. For example, a booklet with pictures of things he/she might see at the destination or during the travel, a Social Story about the Journey (by plane/train/bus/car etc) and what are the expected steps/procedure in each, a Social Story or a Visual about any Changes that may occur on the way (say, a breakdown of the car, or a delay in the timings of the flight/train/bus etc). The idea is to be well-prepared with resources, so that any change, does not lead to massive dysregulation in the child. Also carry extra food, sensory toys/stationery etc. for such exigencies.
7) THINGS TO PUT IN THE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE: Always carry a change of clothing, napkins, a small towel, toiletries and one or two of the child’s favourite sensory toys, snacks, books and stationery, emergency medicines in the carry-on luggage. And the resources (social stories/visuals etc) created by the parent/caregiver. It is very important that there is easy access to all of these, at all times.
The notion of travelling with an individual on the Autism Spectrum can be quite daunting. But if we take the necessary precautions, travel might not be such an intimidating thought, after all. Just as the individuals on the spectrum need some structure and mental-preparedness for change, as caregivers, we should also be more disciplined in creating the scaffolding that will enable the individuals on the spectrum to transition to changes, better. And, that would make travelling, a happier experience for all, involved!!
RESOURCES:
https://specialsaathi.com/2023/05/04/augmentative-and-alternative-communication-aac-using-the-avaz-app-beyond-communication/
https://specialsaathi.com/2023/04/20/travelling-with-a-child-on-the-autism-spectrum/
https://www.milestones.org/resources/tool-kits/travel-tips-tool-kit
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-make-a-sensory-travel-kit-for-your-child
https://www.pediaplex.net/blog/summer-travel-kits-for-kids-with-autism
https://autismtravel.com/ (For the US)
https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Communication-Boards.pdf
https://www.n2y.com/blog/travel-and-communication-accessibility/
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Author Triveni Goswami Vernal
Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.
Artwork-“Great Plains & Ocean “Acrylic Ink on Paper
Artist Kabir Vernal